Reminiscent of the winding driveway that leads the traveler through the lush woods of this historic inn, the Van Buren County history book weaves the story of Oak Cove Resort.  Hidden from view amongst a majestic grove of oak trees on the shore of Lake Cora, the main lodge remains the lady-like “late Victorian” structure it was at its completion nine decades ago.

The original 160 acres comprising the west section of Four Mile Lake was owned by the United States Government.  It first sold for $10.00.  In 1884, the lake was renamed Lake Cora after the daughter of John Ihling, a prestigious landowner who eventually owned half interest in the fancy, grand Peninsular Hotel on the north side of the lake.

The Engelhards bought the small resort’s original acreage with frontage on the “cove” of the lake prior to 1910, at which time they built and opened their American plan resort, calling it Englehard’s Resort.  The couple served three meals a day just as is done today, only they cooked on a wood burning stove and pumped water from a well outside the back door.  The “privies” were behind the icehouse in the woods. Tennis courts were to the north of the lodge where the lake’s public access is today.

The Englehards harvested ice from the lake in the winter to store in the icehouse for the following summer and fall.  Today this building serves as a workshop and is the setting for the dinner bell.

In the 1910’s and 20’s, “Englehard’s Resort” became a destination for Chicago vacationers.  The Kalamazoo, Lake Shore, and Chicago Railways brought trains through daily - Some guests disembarked at the large Peninsular Hotel on the north side, while other guests were shuttled by a fringe-covered boat to the less fancy resort across the lake. The big hotel ultimately burned down, leaving what would eventually be called Oak Cove Resort as the only commercial property on Lake Cora to this day.  Oak Cove Resort was named for its location on the lake and the variety of trees on the property.

The Englehard family owned and operated the resort into the 1940’s, and then it was sold to the following families:  Zobel, Zach, Chaluopka, and finally to Susan and Bob Wojcik, who have been lovingly improving, adding to, and enhancing the property ever since.  The year 2005 marks the resort’s 95th anniversary of operation, as well as the Wojcik’s 32nd consecutive season of welcoming guests.  Oak Cove Resort employs all local staff who take pride in giving personal service to each visitor.

This summer, guests will be arriving from as far away as Switzerland and England, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, KS, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, WV, WI, Washington DC and as close as IL, IN, OH, and even Paw Paw, Michigan.  Susan and Bob say that more than 400 families visit Oak Cove Resort each summer to enjoy the luscious food, lodging in the lodge, lake front cottages, and the many amenities. These include free use of the rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, bicycles, wooded trails, 500’ of sandy beach, heated pool, plus a recreation-game room aptly named the Fun House.  The guests, in turn, add to the local economy by visiting stores, shops, historic locations, and other interesting attractions the community has to offer.